Tag: Lawan

Senate President, Lawan distances self from alleged plot to elongate Buhari’s stay in office

Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan on Tuesday rubbished claim he said he would not mind a constitutional amendment to allow unlimited term of office for President Muhammadu Buhari.

A statement issued by Ola Awoniyi, Special Adviser (Media) to President of the Senate, said the office of the President of the Senate has noted a tweet by one Cmr Mayor attributing a fabricated statement to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.

It said in the mischievous tweet, the Senate President was quoted as saying he “won’t mind a constitutional amendment to allow unlimited term of office for President if President Buhari wishes to remain in office beyond 2023.”

“Our initial reaction was to ignore the ignoble mischief especially since it is not new, having been posted two years ago on 27 March 2019.

“But because the tweet has been trending again on social media, it becomes necessary to issue a formal rebuttal of its purport. We therefore say categorically that the Senate President has never made any such statement, before or after 2019.

“The old tweet which was entirely the handiwork of mischief makers is now being circulated again on social media by purveyors of fake news. The 1999 Constitution has a firm position on the tenure of the President that reflects the popular stand of Nigerians,” the statement said.

The statement added that Section 137(1)b states as follow: “A person shall not be qualified for election to the office of President if (b) he has been elected to such Office at any two previous elections.”

It said the Senate President had never found anything wrong in that provision of the Constitution and had always stood firmly by it.

“It bears recalling that Lawan was a member of the National Assembly when in 2006 it threw out an attempt to amend that section of the Constitution and elongate the tenure of the President. The National Assembly acted then in obedience to the overwhelmingly popular desire of Nigerians.

“It is therefore ludicrous to imagine that Lawan would ever be in the vanguard of any such misadventure that is again certain to fail if ever pursued again,” it stated.

The statement said Lawan stood by the well-considered and roundly appreciated provision of the Constitution on the issue and would never subscribe to any move to amend it.

“We therefore enjoin members of the public to ignore the old fabricated statement mischievously attributed to the Senate President and now being circulated by mischief makers,” it added.

March 30, 2021
Lawan, Gbajabiamila, Governors, Ministers for National Pilot’s book launch

A book, titled: Roundtable Discussion on Economy And Restructuring In Nigeria, will be presented to the public on April 14, 2021 in Lagos.

Published by the National Pilot newspapers, the book treats the twin issues of economy and restructuring and offers a way forward.

The event will hold at Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, the Lagos State capital.

It will be chaired by former Senate President David Mark, while current Senate President Ahmad Lawan, his predecessor, Dr. Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila are among dignitaries expected at the event.

Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is the guest speaker.

The Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, will lead other governors, including Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi ( ), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), while Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) is the chief host.

Other invitees are: Ministers Babatunde Fashola (Works and Housing) and Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation).

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, are royal fathers of the day.

Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Olabode George, former governors Gbenga Daniel, Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) are other top dignitaries expected at the event.

The book answers questions on various aspects of the economy and treat issues on restructuring.

March 23, 2021
Lawan, Gbajabiamila sued over ‘missing N4.4bn NASS funds’

Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila have been sued over “their failure to probe, and to refer to appropriate anti-corruption agencies allegations that N4.4bn of public money budgeted for the National Assembly is missing, misappropriated, diverted or stolen, as documented in three annual audited reports by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.”

The two leaders f Nigeria’s legislative body were sued by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

The suit followed the publication of annual audited reports for 2015, 2017, and 2018 in which the Auditor-General of the Federation raised “concerns about alleged diversion and misappropriation of public funds, sought the recovery of any missing funds, and asked that the evidence of recovery should be forwarded to his office.”

In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/366/2021 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus directing and compelling Dr Lawan, Mr Gbajabiamila and the National Assembly to perform their constitutional oversight functions to ensure prompt and transparent investigation into the allegations that N4.4 billion budgeted for the National Assembly may be missing and unaccounted for.”

In the suit, SERAP argued that “By the combined reading of the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended], the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the UN Convention against Corruption, which Nigeria has ratified, the National Assembly has legal duties to combat corruption, and promote transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.”

According to SERAP: “transparency and accountability in the management of public resources and wealth is essential for promoting development, people’s welfare and well-being, and their access to basic public services, as well as good governance and the rule of law.”

SERAP also argued that “The National Assembly has the legal responsibility to ensure that the serious allegations of corruption and mismanagement documented by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation are promptly, independently, thoroughly, and transparently investigated, and to end the culture of impunity that is fuelling these allegations.”

According to SERAP: “The failure of the National Assembly to promptly and thoroughly investigate, and to refer to appropriate anti-corruption agencies the allegations documented in the annual audited reports for 2015, 2017 and 2018 is a fundamental breach of the oversight and public interest duties imposed on the legislative body by sections 4, 88 and 89 of the Nigerian Constitution.”

The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms Adelanke Aremo, read in part: “Granting this application would serve the interest of justice, reduce corruption and mismanagement, as well as end impunity of perpetrators, and advance the fundamental human rights of Nigerians.”

“This suit seeks to vindicate the rule of law, the public interest, and to promote transparency and accountability. Government agencies and institutions are responsible to a court of justice for the lawfulness of what they do, and of that, the court is the only judge. The National Assembly has no legally justifiable reason to refuse to investigate the allegations documented by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.”

“Obedience to the rule of law by all citizens but more particularly those who publicly took oath of office to protect and preserve the Constitution is a desideratum to good governance and respect for the rule of law. In a democratic society, this is meant to be a norm.”

It would be recalled that SERAP had in a letter dated 30 January 2021 requested Dr Lawan and Mr Gbajabiamila to “use their good offices to urgently probe and refer to appropriate anti-corruption agencies allegations that N4.4 billion of public money budgeted for the National Assembly may have been misappropriated, diverted or stolen.”

The letter, read in part: “The Auditor-General noted in his 2015 report that the National Assembly account was spent N8,800,000.00 as unauthorised overdraft, contrary to Financial Regulations 710. The National Assembly also reportedly spent N115,947,016.00 without any documents. Another N158,193,066.00 spent as cash advances to 17 staff between January and June 2015 is yet to be retired.”

“The Senate reportedly spent N186,866,183.42 to organise Senate Retreat and Pre-Valedictory Session for the 7th Senate, although the money was meant to pay vehicle loan. The Senate also reportedly spent N15,964,193.63 as bank charges between July and December 2015, contrary to Financial Regulations 734.”

“The House of Representatives also reportedly spent N624,377,503.30 to buy 48 Utility Vehicles. However, 14 vehicles were not supplied. The House also failed to make the 34 vehicles supplied available for verification. Similarly, the House spent N499,666,666.00 as cash advances to staff to carry out various assignments but has failed to retire the money.”

“The House of Representatives also reportedly paid N70,560,000.00 as overtime and ‘special’ allowances to officials who are not legislative aides between November and December 2015 without any authority.”

“The National Assembly Service Commission reportedly failed to remit N30,130,794.10 deducted from the salaries of the Executive Chairman and the Commissioners as car loan.”

“The National Assembly Budget and Research Office reportedly spent N66,303,411.70 as out-of-pocket expenses without any documents. The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies paid N246,256,060.51 by cheques, despite the prohibition of payments by cheque by the Federal Government, except in extreme cases, and contrary to Financial Regulation 631.”

“According to the Auditor-General Report for 2017, the House of Representatives reportedly spent ₦95,212,250.00 without due process and without any documents. The National Assembly Management Account also reveals that N673,081,242.14 was spent between April and October 2017 without any documents. The Auditor-General reported that the funds may have been misappropriated.”

“The Senate Account also reportedly shows that ₦1,364,816,397.95 was spent on store items without any documents to show for the spending. The Auditor-General stated that his office was denied access to the store and to the Senate’s records.”

“The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies also reportedly failed to remit ₦2,181,696.50 from the contract of goods and services. The Institute also paid ₦67,296,478.00 without any payment vouchers.”

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

March 21, 2021
Ethnic clashes: Nigeria will know peace again in two months time – Senate President

Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Monday said things will return to normal in two months in the country.

He spoke after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

Lawan emphasised the need for the political class, as well as the traditional leadership, to play a role in de-escalating the current pensive mood across the country through their actions and utterances.

He charged the various state and local governments to do everything possible to protect all Nigerians within their territories, irrespective of origins.

The Senate President said government is doing everything possible to secure all parts of the country and ensure peace returns before the rainy season sets in, so that farmers and others can go about their normal lives in a secure environment.

He said: “As political leaders, we have responsibilities to our people. We have to get our people secured, we have to secure the environment for them to earn their means of livelihood, we’ll like to see our farmers go back to farms before the rainy season starts.

“This means we have to secure the rural parts of Nigeria as well as the urban centres because we need businesses to flourish.

“So I believe that between now and probably the next two months, there will be a lot of activities to ensure that we recover and secure the environments for our people to lead a very normal life.

“We also believe that the government is headed in the right direction.

“You’ll recall that the National Economic Council approved of taking some funds from the Excess Crude Accounts to give more resources to our armed forces.

“This is a commendable effort and we are ready to help with appropriation to ensure that we acquire those security weapons for the armed forces of this country to end this insecurity in the northeast, in the northwest, in the southeast/South-south and southwest as well.

“We believe that this is also going to help empower and build the capacity of other security agencies like the police because the police need to be there.”

They’re supposed to maintain the internal security and whenever this the armed forces secure an environment, the police should be there to stay put and make sure there are law and order.”

February 23, 2021
Senate President, Lawan accuses S’West govs of inciting violence in their states

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan has accused S’West govs of inciting violence in their states. He believes the recent ethnic clash at Shasha Market in Ibadan was sparked by the utterances of some governors from the Southwest.

And he wants the brains behind the clash to be brought to book.

But Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State in reaction has said that the Senate President was mixing up the issues involved in the clash, while Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State said he would rather not engage those he branded as ‘crisis entrepreneurs and divisionists.’

Speaking in an interview with the Hausa Service of the BBC yesterday, Ahmad Lawan asked government to investigate the cause of the Shasha market clash, identify the perpetrators of the violence and pay compensation to the victims.

“What has happened in Oyo and other southern states of Nigeria has led to a lack of leadership,” he said.

He added: “I would not only say that the governors, but they have an important right to protect the people, and the statements made by some of them have led to provoking the people of these states. They see their leaders as supporting them, they take this step.”

He said the Senate debated the matter after its recess and condemned the actions of some political leaders for provocative remarks.

According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari also sat down with state governors and told them that it was not permissible for any governor to make statements that would provoke violence and unrest in his state.

“He told them that the Nigerian constitution gives every citizen the right to live wherever he wants to live, so no one should be allowed to say that he will expel others from his state because he is not a citizen of the state,” he said.

“Yes, compensation must be paid, but make sure that people are not killed in vain, not just burnt goods and the victims of the shootings, that their cards are followed, or that compensation is paid to find the perpetrators.

“The security forces should arrest them and take them to court to be punished. This is the only way to prevent others from doing the same in the future,” he said.

Makinde: He’s mixing up issues

Contacted last night to react to Lawan’s statement, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State said Lawan was mixing up the issues involved in the Shasha market violence.

He spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, saying: “The Senate President’s statement has nothing to do with Shasha Market.

“The incident was a disagreement between market leaders which had a trigger in a clash between two traders – one Hausa and one Yoruba.

The four Northern governors who recently visited Ibadan on behalf of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) attested to the fact that the clash had nothing to do with ethnicity or religion.

“The Baale of Shasha and the market leaders are on the same page on the genesis of the crisis.

“It is possible that the Senate President got mixed up by referring to Shasha in his interview.

“He should not have mentioned Shasha because it was not related to what he was talking about.”

We’ll not engage ‘crisis entrepreneurs’, says Akeredolu

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State was terse in his reaction.

His Special Assistant on New Media, Olabode Olatunde, said: “At the risk of being repetitive, the Governor Akeredolu-led Southwest governors will not go into the arena of media conflict with crisis entrepreneurs and divisionists.”

The Shasha Market violence erupted on February 18 following an altercation between a Yoruba woman and an Hausa man.

The matter quickly grew out of control, leaving many houses, shops and goods burnt.

Some people were also killed.

February 21, 2021
Lawan, Gbajabiamila get 14 days deadline to probe “missing N4.4 billion‘’

Senate President Dr Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of House of Representatives Mr Femi Gbajabiamila have been given 14 days ultimatum to probe the allegations of missing N4.4 billion of public money budgeted for the National Assembly.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP gave the deadline in a letter written to the leadership of the National Assembly, adding that it will take all appropriate legal actions if the legislative arm failed to probe the allegations.

The organization also urged the lawmakers to refer to appropriate anti-corruption agencies to find out if the fund was misappropriated, diverted, or stolen, as documented in three audited reports by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.”

“Any failure to promptly, thoroughly and independently investigate these serious allegations, prosecute suspected perpetrators, and recover missing public funds and assets would undermine public trust in the ability of the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure probity, transparency, and accountability in the management of public funds.”

SERAP in its open letter dated 30 January 2021 and signed by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, said the National Assembly has the opportunity to show Nigerians that the legislative body is a proper and accountable watchdog.

It said, “By exercising strong and effective leadership in this matter, the National Assembly can show Nigerians that the legislative body is a proper and accountable watchdog that represents and protects the public interest, and is able to hold both itself and the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to account in the management of public resources.”

SERAP added that if not satisfactorily addressed, these allegations would also undermine public confidence in the ability of the National Assembly to exercise its constitutional and oversight responsibilities to prevent and combat corruption, and to ensure the public interest, transparency, and accountability in the management of public resources.”

SERAP expressed concern that “these allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and misappropriation of public funds amount to fundamental breaches of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international obligations, including under the UN Convention against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption.”

The letter, read in part: “Any failure to promptly, thoroughly and independently investigate these serious allegations, prosecute suspected perpetrators, and recover missing public funds and assets would undermine public trust in the ability of the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure probity, transparency, and accountability in the management of public funds.”

“The Auditor-General noted in his 2015 report that the National Assembly account was spent N8,800,000.00 as unauthorised overdraft, contrary to Financial Regulations 710. The National Assembly also reportedly spent N115,947,016.00 without any documents. Another N158,193,066.00 spent as cash advances to 17 staff between January and June 2015 is yet to be retired.”

“The Senate reportedly spent N186,866,183.42 to organise Senate Retreat and Pre-Valedictory Session for the 7th Senate, although the money was meant to pay vehicle loan. The Senate also reportedly spent N15,964,193.63 as bank charges between July and December, 2015, contrary to Financial Regulations 734.”

“The House of Representatives also reportedly spent N624,377,503.30 to buy 48 Utility Vehicles. However, 14 vehicles were not supplied. The House also failed to make the 34 vehicles supplied available for verification. Similarly, the House spent N499,666,666.00 as cash advances to staff to carry out various assignments but has failed to retire the money.”

“The House of Representatives also reportedly paid N70,560,000.00 as overtime and ‘special’ allowances to officials who are not legislative aides between November and December 2015 without any authority.”

“The National Assembly Service Commission reportedly failed to remit N30,130,794.10 deducted from the salaries of the Executive Chairman and the Commissioners as car loan.”

“The National Assembly Budget and Research Office reportedly spent N66,303,411.70 as out-of-pocket expenses without any documents. The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies paid N246,256,060.51 by cheques, despite the prohibition of payments by cheque by the Federal Government, except in extreme cases, and contrary to Financial Regulation 631.”

“According to the Auditor-General Report for 2017, the House of Representatives reportedly spent ₦95,212,250.00 without due process and without any documents. The National Assembly Management Account also reveals that N673,081,242.14 was spent between April and October 2017 without any documents. The Auditor-General reported that the funds may have been misappropriated.”

“The Senate Account also reportedly shows that ₦1,364,816,397.95 was spent on store items without any documents to show for the spending. The Auditor-General stated that his office was denied access to the store and to the Senate’s records.”

“The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies also reportedly failed to remit ₦2,181,696.50 from contract of goods and services. The Institute also paid ₦67,296,478.00 without any payment vouchers.”

“We would be grateful if you would indicate the measures being taken to address the allegations and to implement the proposed recommendations, within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel the leadership of the National Assembly to implement these recommendations in the public interest, and to promote transparency and accountability in the National Assembly.”

“The Auditor-General also noted in his 2018 report that the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies failed to remit N577,634,638,20 due from contracts and supplies, even though the deductions were made. However, the Institute claimed that it was the National Assembly that was required to remit the money, as it is the body that maintains the account on behalf of the Institute.”

“Our requests are brought in the public interest, and in keeping with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the country’s international obligations including under the UN Convention against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption. Nigeria has ratified both treaties.”

The letter is copied to Mr Abubakar Malami SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); and Mr Mohammed Abba, Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

January 31, 2021
Lawan: PIB will ensure Nigerians benefit optimally from resources

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has said that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) presently before the National Assembly will ensure that Nigerians benefit optimally from crude oil production and sale of fossil fuel reserves.

Lawan stated this on Monday while declaring open a 2-day public hearing on the bill by the National Assembly.

According to the Senate President, the National Assembly in its consideration of the piece of legislation, would ensure that the bill when passed into law, guarantees improved revenue earnings for the country.

Lawan said, “let me say this, we (National Assembly) will pass this bill not without ensuring that it is a bill that satisfies certain conditions.

“Nigeria is blessed with these resources, we want Nigeria to benefit optimally from them. In fact, we are in a hurry because we have lost so many years of benefits that we could have had.”

The Senate President, however, noted that the non-passage of the PIB had been a major drag on the industry over the years, significantly limiting its ability to attract both local and foreign capital at a time when many other countries are scrambling to exploit their oil and gas resources.

“The mere knowledge that the nation’s oil industry is still being governed by laws enacted more than 50 years ago is ludicrous and extremely disappointing.

“As legislators, we will strive to deliver a Bill that will enhance the growth of our oil and gas industry, modernize our fiscal system and enhance competitiveness, while creating harmony for all stakeholders. This is a promise we have made and that we shall achieve.

“Nigeria must have an Oil and Gas Industry that benefits its people. Equally, our Oil and Gas Industry must be competitive. We must create a sustainable investment climate, where business in the sector will flourish,” he said.

He added that the determination by the legislature to pass the Bill “is driven by the need to overhaul a system that has refused to operate optimally in line with global standards, resulting into loss of continental competiveness, transparency, accountability, good governance and economy loss for the petroleum industry and the country.”

The Senate President noted that the challenges surrounding the future usefulness of petroleum resources and the increased level of uncertainty on oil demand calls for great concern.

“It is estimated that with the evolving of new technologies, fossil fuel may be less attractive if not of no value in the next 20 years.

“It is therefore time for us to make maximum benefit of our fossil fuel reserves through this reform before it fades away,”Lawan stressed.

According to him, the Petroleum Industry Bill comprises of 4 chapters that outline how to create efficient and effective governing institutions with clear and separate roles for the petroleum industry; establish a framework for the creation of a commercially oriented and profit-driven National Petroleum Company; promote transparency, good governance and accountability in the administration of the petroleum resources of Nigeria among others;

He added that the piece of legislation among others, also seeks to promote the exploration and exploitation of petroleum resources in Nigeria for the benefit of the Nigerian people; promote the efficient, effective and sustainable development of the petroleum industry;

According to him, the PIB upon passage and assent into law by the President, would “foster sustainable prosperity within host communities, provide direct social and economic benefits from petroleum operations to host communities; create a framework to support the development of host communities among others; and

“Establish a progressive fiscal framework that encourages investment in the Nigerian Petroleum Industry, balancing rewards with risk and enhancing revenues to the Federal Government of Nigeria; provide a forward-looking fiscal framework that is based on core principles of clarity, dynamism and fiscal rules of general application; establish a fiscal framework that expands the revenue base of the Federal Government, while ensuring a fair return for investors.”

Lawan assured that the National Assembly during the public hearing would deal with all issues relating to the oil and gas industry with thoroughness and effectiveness, so as to avert colossal losses to the nation’s economy.

Signed:

Ezrel TABIOWO, MBSC, Fsca
Special Assistant (Press)
to President of the Senate

January 26, 2021
Lawan kicks against scrapping of Senate, says Nigerians free to vote out dormant senators in 2023

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan on Thursday said Nigerians are free to kick out lawmakers who they deemed under-performing in the Ninth National Assembly jointed headed by him (Lawan) and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Lawan also faulted the argument of those clamouring for the upper legislative chamber to be scrapped because of the perceived jumbo pay being earned by the senators.

He stated this on Friday while declaring open, a retreat for top management staff of the National Assembly and National Assembly Service Commission in Abuja.

Lawan challenged Nigerians who are not comfortable with the senators in the 9th Senate to vote them out in 2023 if they don’t like their faces.

The Senate president warned that there could be anarchy if the Senate is scrapped as being clamoured by some Nigerians. He described the Senate as a leveler which ensured that all parts of the country are equally represented unlike the House of Representatives where states with higher populations produce the highest number of lawmakers.

More details later…

November 20, 2020
#EndSARS: NASS will push for implementation of protesters’ demands – Lawan

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, says the National Assembly will ensure that the five demands made to the Executive by #EndSARS protesters are implemented.

Lawan gave the assurance on Thursday at plenary after the Senate was briefed by the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi (APC – Kebbi North) on the intervention by the leadership to wade into the matter.

Giving details into the meeting between the Senate delegation and the protesters yesterday, Abdullahi said, “We met with a view to pacifying the protesters and also extending our commiseration with them over what happened.

“They explained that in the course of their peaceful demonstration, they were accosted by some hoodlums, who they alleged were directed by the police to attack them; and how they were able to weather the storm and assemble at the National Assembly to inform us of their travails.

“We sympathised with them and received the oral complaints that they wanted to present to the National Assembly.

“They complained of damages to their vehicles, and some physical injuries that some of them sustained. Fortunately, there were no major injuries or even violent death.

“We implored them to submit a catalogue of their complaints and the damages or injuries that were inflicted upon them, so that these can be conveyed to the appropriate authorities for interventions.

“Today, the minority leader, as we arranged yesterday, was there on the ground to receive the catalogue of complaints.

“Unfortunately those complains are not ready, so whenever they are ready, the leadership is going to compile and submit them to the appropriate authority for attention.

“I just wanted to inform my colleagues, so that we put this particular issue on record.”

In his remarks, Lawan, who described the demands by the protesters as legitimate, said the National Assembly would prevail on the Executive arm of government to ensure expeditious implementation.

He, however, urged the protesters to go back home so as to give the Federal Government the chance to see to the implementation of their demands.

“We took a motion sponsored by Distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu on the challenges that we face, especially with respect to the SARS activities across the country and, of course, we took far reaching resolutions.

“Nigerians, let me say, have the right to peaceful demonstration. When they feel very strongly about issues, they can do so to call the attention of the leaders of this country for appropriate action to be taken.

“I believe that the government has responded, SARS has been disbanded and all the five demands of the protesters have been accepted.

“What I’ll urge here is if such demands have been accepted, then we should expedite taking action to actualize them.

“I believe that when protesters demands are met, their goal should have been achieved. Therefore, there is need for our compatriots to go back home and give government the chance to quickly and expeditiously implement those demands.

“Both chambers of the National Assembly have identified with the protests that they are legitimate protests and demands.

“I think the next vital step is for the protests to stop because the initial reasons for the protests have been accepted as facts and government is trying to do everything possible.

“I urge government, and that includes us, that we should push to ensure that those demands of the protesters that the executive side has accepted to implement are implemented as quickly as possible,” Lawan said.

October 15, 2020
Lawan, Gbajabiamila laud Buhari, IGP for dissolving SARS

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, have hailed the dissolution of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) by the Inspector General of Police.

In a statement yesterday night in Abuja by his Special Adviser, Media, OlaAwoniyi , the President of the Senate said that it was a courageous decision to dissolve the police unit, and with this, him and his government have shown themselves as responsive to the feelings of the people.

“I am applauding the President because it is a demonstration of good leadership to yield to the demand of the populace in difficult situations like this.”

He also commended the Inspector-General of Police for the decision and challenged him to come up with measures for the transformation of the Nigeria Police into an effective law enforcement and crime fighting agency that is also a true and respected friend of the Nigerian people.

The President of the Senate said that the measures should fully address all the issues that earned the dissolved SARS the odium of the Nigerian people, and in particular of the articulate Nigerian youths.

Lawan said, “The expectation is that this situation offers us another opportunity to reform the operations of the entire Force.

“I also reiterate my call for the prosecution of all security personnel whose extra judicial killings and other acts of misconduct brought us to this sorry pass.
“I hope that the steps taken by the Inspector-General of Police will be followed with more comprehensive reform of the Police.”

Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila said action, he said, was a necessary response to outcries from multiple documented excesses of SARS operatives across the country.

The Speaker commended President Muhammadu Buhari for listening to calls by Nigerians to disband the Police special unit.

In a statement by his spokesman, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker commended Nigerians, particularly millions of young people at home and abroad, who saw a wrong and sought to make it right.

Gbajabiamila said the dissolution of SARS and the broader, ongoing reforms of the police that will follow are a testament to the passion and resilience of a generation of Nigerians determined not to accept or tolerate injustice in whatever form.

The Speaker called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar Adamu to take practical steps to support and enforce this policy pronouncement.

He said: “These steps are necessary to assure the Nigerian people that the announced dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) is sincere and well-intentioned, and not merely meant to quell the ongoing protests across the country.

“The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) must also act to identify and punish those operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) involved in the most severe cases of abuse of rights, brutality and murder of Nigerian citizens.”

Gbajabiamila noted with displeasure the manhandling of some of the protesters across the nation.

“There is still a pressing need to have an independent system for monitoring police actions and holding police officers to proper account for failures to follow the law and the police code.

“The House will continue its work to legislate lasting solutions to the problems of policing in Nigeria,” he said.

He disclosed that as part of efforts at reforming the police, the House will meet with the national leadership of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), the Nigerian Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and select civil society organisations to begin joint efforts at developing a legislative proposal.

“Whatever legislation emerges from this collaboration will be presented to the House within the 30-day timeline announced by Speaker Gbajabiamila at the special session of the House of Representatives on Wednesday 7th October 2020,” he said.

October 12, 2020